Product Description

America's conservative magazine. Commentary and analysis on politics, economics, and current events from a conservative perspective.

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• Amazon Sales Rank: #478 in Magazine Subscriptions
• Format: Magazine Subscription

Customer Reviews

Bill Buckley's Legacy
I've subscribed to many many magazines over the years but this is the only magazine I completely look forward to and am careful to make sure to renew in a timely fashion each year.

This is current events, politics, arts, humor, and even a bit of pop culture presented in a way not seen anywhere else. Although criticized by liberals because of it's very conservative viewpoint, it is not unusual to see two NR contributors disagreeing with eachother and presenting counterpoints in complementary articles.

What brings NR into another league entirely, is the intelligence and wit of the contributors. All have a firm grasp of the issues of the day and never write with the vitriol one finds in some of the other political journals. Just last week, for instance, Elizabeth Edwards' illness sparked a very sensitive and empathetic article discussing her illness, the Edwards' understandable desire to stay in the campaign, and mortality. The author honestly wished her well and understood the Edwards' desire to stay in the race and live life to the fullest. Ironically, this was immediately before Mrs. Edwards ranted ungraciously about the "crazy" Republican neighbor of theirs who has a "Vote for Guilliani" sign on his fence across the street from the Edwards' home.

National Review is, without a doubt, the best magazine for news and politics available today. Although everything in it is superb, I always head for Rob Long's hysterical column first. Then I read and savor the whole magazine cover to cover throughout the week.

I take issue with one reviewer who believes that one cannot find a 'balanced' article in National Review. I completely disagree. Most of the news I read elsewhere will present only one side of the issue. I can turn to National Review to read the other side of the issue. Additionally, the articles always discuss the Democratic viewpoint, as well, though that viewpoint is factually and inevitably refuted.

If I could meet one single person today, it would be Bill Buckley. I hold him in great esteem and wish I could go on one of the NR cruises to meet him (hey, anyone over at NR reading this???). His articles, columns, and books have shaped most of my views today. He is still writing in each issue and still has a regular column, but his lesser role is noticeable and his prior contribution is definitely missed.

Best Current Events Publication
If you want a publication that publishes facts .. I repeat... FACTS, on current events, this is the publication for you. Included are opinion columns but they are presented as being opinions, not presented as anything else. We were introduced to National Review in 1984 and we look for every issue. Writers are literate and up-to-date on events, and subjects addressed are timely as well as dependable.

Intelligent Commentary, Even If It Is Very One- Sided
National Review is an intelligent magazine that was founded back in 1955 by conservative commentator William F. Buckley, Jr. It is great for those who enjoy politics presented in an intellectual and respectable manner. Most every article contained in National Review is written from a conservative standpoint and the positions taken are almost always in favor of the conservative view. This ranks National Review among the least balanced of all news/political magazines. You won't find a sympathetic article about the Democratic Party's internal issues or a balanced article about socialized health care. No, what you read in National Review is 100 percent conservative and it rarely sways from its political course.

Or at least, it doesn't sway very much. One criticism that has been leveled in the past several years at National Review from conservatives is its slightly altered direction. It often departs from its traditional conservative stand to one more inclined to support the neo- conservatism of George W. Bush and others like him. This is partially true, and I do get a little irritated with National Review's tendency to support the current administration regardless of facts; most important among them the fact that the current crop of Republicans support much larger government. This is something that National Review traditionally abhorred, but yet it continues to support the present administration and its policies. I don't know if the magazine has given in and accepted the current political climate as a fact of life and sided with the lesser of two evils for the time being or if there has been a slight shift of ideology at National Review. Whatever the reason, I can see why traditional conservatives are somewhat dismayed at National Review and its support of neocons and their followers.

The various departments and features in National Review are well- written and flawlessly edited. I like the intellectual angle offered by the articles, even though I don't always agree with the position taken by the National Review staff. It would be nice to read a balanced article in National review that presents different sides of an issue, but balance isn't part of the National Review vocabulary. That doesn't mean the National Review is a rubber stamping operation that backs everything conservative in nature. One example is the book review section. If a book is essentially flawed in some way, National Review is quick to point this out and decline to recommend it, even if the book's premise is conservative.

Overall, National Review is a very good political magazine that is devoted to conservative thought with some good, intellectual reading about politics and the political leaders who make the news on a weekly basis. Once again, I do not always agree with the positions taken by National Review. But I like the presentation, the respectable dialogue, and the intellectual angle of this magazine. It makes for some good, thoughtful reading when you've got some time on your hands and want a little mental stimulation on current events.